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Beth Curtis has spent more than 15 years helping students with disabilities gain a stronger voice and fuller access to education at Key Center School.

The school-based technology specialist develops innovative curricula, leads campus-wide projects and participates in focus groups aimed at improving education for students with special needs. Her work was highlighted Nov. 18, 2025, as part of National Educational Support Professionals Day.

Curtis works with the Central Office, the school board and Fairfax County Public Schools’ IT and Cybersecurity departments to make specialized tools and programs available to Key Center students and other Category B students across the county. Those efforts support accessibility, equity and compliance with Free Appropriate Public Education requirements.

Her involvement extends across the school. Curtis serves on several Key Center committees, including the Equity Team, Get-2-Green and the SIIP team. She also works directly with students, helps with feeding and assists families with forms and access to learning materials at home.

Principal Ann Smith said Curtis brings optimism and thoughtful touches to the school throughout the day. Often among the first employees to arrive, Curtis creates hallway music playlists, maintains a coffee and chocolate station for staff and supports students, employees and parents.

Curtis also volunteered to revive the school’s yearbook process several years ago. She assembled and motivated a team that produced a well-received yearbook designed to ensure students could see themselves represented in print.

As co-leader of the Get-2-Green team, Curtis helped develop an accessible school garden where students with varying abilities can participate. The garden incorporates assistive technology, including a switch-operated watering system that allows students to water plants independently.

Outside school, Curtis participates in events such as 5K races and the Polar Plunge in support of Special Olympics.

She also helps manage Key Center’s website and weekly newsletters, using school news and images of engaged students to connect families with the campus community. That communications work contributed to Key Center receiving an Award of Communications Excellence in 2023.